You thought the war dog craze of '11 was over, didn't you? Surprise! KitUp's got a nice little look at soldiers in Afghanistan, and the strategic strays they befriend. This video contains both puppies and a SAW machine gun.

The soldiers describe how the animals—usually found in pretty rough shape—come to be more than just friends. They're invaluable at detecting bad guys in the dark while on patrol, though barking can be a battlefield liability during stealth situations. Either way, it must be nice to have a break from explosions and blood and just pet a dog for a little bit. [KitUp!]